Deadline: January 7, 2026
The Tarbell AI Journalism Fellowship 2026 is a prestigious, year-long programme designed to empower early-career and experienced journalists with cutting-edge knowledge at the intersection of artificial intelligence and journalism. This globally competitive fellowship offers participants advanced training, hands-on newsroom experience, and immersive learning opportunities that enhance their ability to report on AI’s societal impact. The Tarbell AI Journalism Fellowship 2026 provides generous compensation, world-class mentorship, and a clear pathway to producing high-impact, AI-focused journalism.
About the Opportunity
The fellowship is a 1-year programme that runs from 8 June 2026 to 31 May 2027. It combines intensive training with practical reporting experience, ensuring fellows gain the skills, confidence, and insight necessary to produce original journalism on artificial intelligence.
The structure includes:
- A 10-week remote training course covering AI fundamentals, ethics, investigative methods, and journalism best practices.
- A 9-month newsroom placement within a leading media organisation.
- A week-long in-person summit in San Francisco, with travel and accommodation fully covered.
Host newsrooms include globally recognised outlets such as Bloomberg, The Guardian, Time, and MIT Technology Review.
Eligibility
Applicants should demonstrate:
- A strong interest in artificial intelligence and its societal implications.
- Storytelling ability and a capacity to work quickly under deadlines.
- Perseverance, curiosity, and openness to feedback.
- Journalism experience is advantageous but not required; candidates from related fields such as law or research are welcome.
- A willingness to commit to full-time participation throughout the programme period.
- Depending on placement, some candidates may require the right to work in certain countries; limited visa support may be available.
Benefits / Award Details
The fellowship offers competitive, location-adjusted stipends:
- Early-career fellows: USD 60,000 – 80,000.
- Senior fellows (5+ years professional experience): USD 90,000 – 110,000.
Additional benefits include:
- Fully covered travel and accommodation for the San Francisco summit.
- Remote training at no cost to the fellow.
- World-class mentorship and editorial support.
- Placement at a leading global newsroom.
- Access to a growing network of AI-focused journalists.
Application Requirements / Documents
Applicants will complete an application divided into five sections:
- CV and writing samples.
- Placement matching details.
- Multiple-choice questions.
- Short-answer questions.
- Final screening questions.
The application takes about one hour to complete when all materials are ready.
Timeline / Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 7 January 2026
- Fellow Selection: April 2026
- Programme Start: 8 June 2026
- Programme End: 31 May 2027
How to Apply
Applications require submitting all requested documents and completing all evaluation sections. Interested candidates should prepare their writing samples and CV in advance to ensure a smooth submission process.
Selection Process
The selection process includes:
- Review of written materials.
- A written task assessing storytelling and analytical abilities.
- Interviews with assessment panels.
Final selection is made in April 2026.
Additional Information / Terms
- The 10-week training phase is entirely remote.
- The San Francisco Summit is in person and fully funded.
- The fellowship is full-time, requiring full availability from June 2026 to May 2027.
- Placement cities may have work-authorisation requirements, with limited assistance available.
Host Organisation
The fellowship is hosted by the Tarbell Center, an organisation committed to training the next generation of journalists capable of reporting powerfully and responsibly on emerging artificial intelligence technologies.
Apply & Learn More
(contact us for proposal drafting, refining and review)
